Director Sriram Venu has delivered two hits earlier: MCA with Nani and Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan. He was to direct a film named ‘ICON’ with Allu Arjun but it was shelved. His new film “Thammudu” starring Nithiin is set for release on July 4. In a candid media interaction, director Sriram Venu offered key insights into the making of the film.
A story that goes beyond the hero
“Thammudu is deeply rooted in family emotion, but it’s also built on layered storytelling,” said Sriram Venu.
“This isn’t a conventional hero-centric film. Alongside the protagonist, there are five strong female characters who drive the narrative. Laya, Varsha Bollamma, Sapthami Gowda, Swasika Vijay, and child artist Dithya playe these roles. Much like Kamal Haasan in Vikram, the hero in Thammudu is embedded in an emotional and layered journey rather than just leading it.”
The director explained that the title Thammudu was carefully chosen to reflect the soul of the story. Venu also revealed that Thammudu was born from an article he once read in a newspaper. After shelving the Allu Arjun’s ICON project, he began work on this film and eventually felt that Nithiin was the perfect fit for the central character.
“Archery requires both intense mental and physical discipline, and it’s deeply rooted in our history — from Lord Rama to Arjuna. We finally found the right context for it in Thammudu. Nithiin trained with a professional coach for 15 days to prepare for his role,” ,” said Venu.
‘A’ certificate for integrity
Addressing the film’s censor rating, Venu noted, “We were advised to make a few cuts to secure a U/A certificate, but we felt those changes would dilute the emotional core of the film. So, we collectively decided to go ahead with an ‘A’ certificate. There’s no excessive violence; it’s just that the censor board has become stricter, and we respect that.”
Sriram Venu emphasized that Thammudu will be a tightly paced film with no unnecessary scenes or detours. “I don’t believe in dragging scenes just for the sake of it. Every moment in the film has a purpose. After watching the final version, Dil Raju sir didn’t ask for a single cut, which was encouraging.”
Casting challenges
The film’s casting journey had its share of interesting turns. “We initially approached a popular former heroine for Laya’s role. She appreciated the script but couldn’t commit due to personal reasons. She did promise to collaborate in the future. Later, Laya ma’am came on board, and her commitment was exceptional. She shot with us for 90 days and gave her full support throughout.”
After watching Kantara, Sriram Venu felt Sapthami Gowda would be a perfect fit for one of the characters. “She gave a fantastic performance,” he said.
Shelving of Icon
Reflecting on his career, the director said that setbacks have never broken his spirit. “When ICON didn’t take off, I wasn’t disheartened. I’ve seen worse. There was a 7-year gap between my first and second films. I was already married and had children at the time. I survived that phase, and I’ve never let delays push me into despair. I’ve continued to stay active, working on projects under Dil Raju sir’s banner.”
